Solved - NEH 2524: Daniel Grabin's home-made 1948 Olds Roadster built 1952/5

[Carnut]

What's this, who built it and from when does it date - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[targhediferro]

The front reminds me an Oldsmobile 88, but It clearly is not that one...any connection?

[Carnut]

The front reminds me an Oldsmobile 88, but It clearly is not that one...any connection?

It does have an Olds grille but apart from that I don't think there's any connection.  I don't think it even has an Oldsmobile engine..

[ValkyrieGT]

I think it is a car from the forgotten fiberglass site. I am unable to go to that site, because it starts clicking my hard drive & redirecting me from the website. Similar issues occur on many car blog sites. I get pissed & decide it is not worth finding the car & re-starting my computer.

[Carnut]

I think it is a car from the forgotten fiberglass site. I am unable to go to that site, because it starts clicking my hard drive & redirecting me from the website. Similar issues occur on many car blog sites. I get pissed & decide it is not worth finding the car & re-starting my computer.

Don't give yourself any aggro, because it's not from Forgotten Fiberglass..

[mekubb]

Don't give yourself any aggro, because it's not from Forgotten Fiberglass..
[/quote]
Looking at the pic it appears that you have spilled your hot chocolate Norman  .... Sorry, bad joke... I assume it is home-built or is there a company behind it ?

[Carnut]

Don't give yourself any aggro, because it's not from Forgotten Fiberglass..

Looking at the pic it appears that you have spilled your hot chocolate Norman  .... Sorry, bad joke... I assume it is home-built or is there a company behind it ?

Someone has, but not me alas!
It's a home-built..

[Carnut]

Professionals?

[nicanary]

Have we established it's from the US ?

[Carnut]

Have we established it's from the US ?

Not so far, but yes, it is.

[targhediferro]

I dug everywhere on the net but I found nothing;  it looks like this car is a mix of Oldsmobile parts coming from different years, fenders and grille are similar to 1949 ones, while the windscreen is certainly later, perhaps 1955-56.  Is the base car an Oldsmobile too?

[Carnut]

I dug everywhere on the net but I found nothing;  it looks like this car is a mix of Oldsmobile parts coming from different years, fenders and grille are similar to 1949 ones, while the windscreen is certainly later, perhaps 1955-56.  Is the base car an Oldsmobile too?

Yes, it's mainly Oldsmobile based, from the late 1940s. It was actually built earlier than 1955 though..

[targhediferro]

I try in a different direction: is this car from California?

[Ray B.]

The rear fenders are 1950 Olds 98, the hubcaps are 1954, and the front seems inspired by the 1954 Olds F-88. Are you sure it's earlier than 1955?

[Otto Puzzell]

I agree with the Banana Man

[Carnut]

Yes, you both seem to be right.
I've had another read through my source and apparently it was 1952 when the project started, so obviously it must have taken some years.  The base is actually early 1940s but you are right that the screen is from a 55 Olds; the rear wings are from a 1950 Olds and the grille is from the late 40's, as are the front wings.  It doesn't actually say what make the engine is; it might be an Olds but then again it might not.  The car's called an Olds because of the original frame.

And it's not from California..

[4popoid]

I have found an old newspaper article that says this homemade auto was produced by one Danny Grabin of Olyphant, PA (near Scranton).  The project, which was started in 1952, began with a base 1942 Oldsmobile (the engine is a straight-8, but the article doesn't say if it is original to the chassis).  The resulting car is made up of various Oldsmobile bits and pieces of various years, all the way up to the 1955 windshield, although some parts, such as the doors are completely original.  It is (was?) registered as a 1948 Oldsmobile roadster.

[Carnut]

Yes, very good, you've found the right builder and the right details for the point!
That took a long time to solve..

The original picture of Daniel in his car outside the family business: